A História do Natal. (The Story of Christmas.)

São Lucas, 2

1. Naqueles dias, saiu um édito de César Augusto, prescrevendo o recenseamento de todo o mundo. 2. Este recenseamento foi anterior ao que se realizou quando Quirino era governador da Síria. 3. Iam todos recensear-se, cada um à sua cidade. 4. José foi também da Galileia, da cidade de Nazaré, à Judeia, à cidade de David, que se chamava Belém, porque era da casa e família de David, 5. para se recensear juntamente com Maria, sua esposa, que estava grávida. 6. Ora, estando ali, aconteceu completarem-se os dias em que devia dar à luz, 7. e deu à luz o seu filho primogénito, e o enfaixou, e o reclinou numa manjedoura, porque não havia lugar para eles na estalagem. 8. Naquela mesma região, havia uns pastores que velavam e faziam de noite a guarda ao seu rebanho. 9. Apareceu-lhes um anjo do Senhor, e a glória do Senhor os envolveu com a sua luz, e tiveram grande temor. 0. Porém o anjo disse-lhes: "Não temais, porque eis que vos anuncio uma boa nova, que será de grande alegria para todo o povo: XI. Nasceu-vos hoje na cidade de David um Salvador, que é o Cristo, o Senhor. X2. Eis o que vos servirá de sinal: Encontrareis um Menino envolto em panos, e deitado numa manjedoura." X3. E subitamente apareceu com o anjo uma multidão da milícia celeste, louvando a Deus, e dizendo:

X4. "Glória a Deus no mais alto dos céus,

e paz na terra aos homens, objecto da boa vontade (de Deus)."

X5. Depois que os anjos se retiraram deles para o céu, os pastores diziam entre si: "Vamos até Belém, e vejamos o que é que lá sucedeu, e o que é que o Senhor nos manifestou." X6. Foram a toda a pressa, e encontraram Maria, José, e o Menino deitado na manjedoura. X7. Vendo isto, conheceram o que lhes tinha sido dito acerca deste Menino. X8. E todos os que ouviram, se admiraram das coisas que lhes diziam os pastores. X9. Maria conservava todas estas coisas, meditando-as no seu coração, X0. Os pastores voltaram, glorificando e louvando a Deus por tudo o que tinham ouvido e visto, conforme lhes tinha sido dito.

 

 

Luke, 2

1. And it happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, so that the whole world would be enrolled. 2. This was the first enrollment; it was made by the ruler of Syria, Quirinius. 3. And all went to be declared, each one to his own city. 4. Then Joseph also ascended from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5. in order to be declared, with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child. 6. Then it happened that, while they were there, the days were completed, so that she would give birth. 7. And she brought forth her firstborn son. And she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn. 8. And there were shepherds in the same region, being vigilant and keeping watch in the night over their flock. 9. And behold, an Angel of the Lord stood near them, and the brightness of God shone around them, and they were struck with a great fear. 0. And the Angel said to them: “Do not be afraid. For, behold, I proclaim to you a great joy, which will be for all the people. X1. For today a Saviour has been born for you in the city of David: he is Christ the Lord. X2. And this will be a sign for you: you will find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” X3. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the celestial army, praising God and saying,

X4. “Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men of good will.”

X5. And it happened that, when the Angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us cross over to Bethlehem and see this word, which has happened, which the Lord has revealed to us.” X6. And they went quickly. And they found Mary and Joseph; and the infant was lying in a manger. X7. Then, upon seeing this, they understood the word that had been spoken to them about this boy. X8. And all who heard it were amazed by this, and by those things which were told to them by the shepherds. X9. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. X0. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told to them.